Peter Fischer of Cortlandt addresses a hearing in Nanuet on Wednesday about the environmental rules those building the new Tappan Zee Bridge should follow. / Michael Risinit/The Journal News

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Be heard

The state Department of Environmental Conservation will hold more hearings at 2 and 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown. Written comments can be submitted until Feb. 18 by mail to John J. Ferguson, NYS DEC — Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, Fourth Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1750, or by email to depprmt@gw .dec.state .ny.us.

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NANUET — Two speakers Wednesday told the state Department of Environmental Conservation not to be cheap in protecting the Hudson River during the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

“I have witnessed many changes for the bad and the good of the Hudson River,” said Peter Fischer, 70, of Cortlandt. “There should be in (my opinion) no skimping on costs related to all environmental issues pertaining to this build out.”

His comments came during the first of several public hearings the DEC is holding this week about the bridge. The agency is reviewing a draft permit for the state Thruway Authority that will dictate how much dredging is done, other ways the river bottom may be affected and how many Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon may be killed during construction. The DEC will decide whether to issue the permit to the Thruway Authority after the comment period closes Feb. 18, a spokeswoman said.

The Thruway Authority applied for the original permit in late March. That application, Riverkeeper attorney Phillip Musegaas said, expires next month. If the DEC doesn’t issue a final permit before then, he said, the project can proceed without one and without the protections it would put in place. He appealed to the DEC for that not to happen.

Musegaas said the state should pay for more mitigation projects in the Hudson and seek input from the public as to which projects will provide the most benefit. The Thruway Authority is already setting aside $8 million to restore wetlands, replant oyster beds and study sturgeon.

Hayley Carlock, an attorney with Scenic Hudson, said she plans to speak at Thursday’s hearing. Her written comments echo Musegass and Fischer’s sentiment.

“Scenic Hudson believes that funding for in-river mitigation projects should be more substantial for a project of such a large size, impact and cost,” she wrote.